Selectively adjustable architectural wall

ABSTRACT

Apparatus, systems, and methods for constructing and installing architectural walls that are secured to a floor and/or a ceiling and that that include an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism may allow the architectural wall to be selectively adjusted horizontally relative to the floor and/or ceiling so that a vertical positioning of the wall may be achieved. The adjustment mechanism may also allow the architectural wall to fit securely to a floor and/or ceiling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 35 U.S.C. §371 U.S. National Stage of PCTApplication No. PCT/US2013/069923 filed Nov. 13, 2013 entitledSELECTIVELY ADJUSTABLE ARCHITECTURAL WALL which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/725,920, filed 13 Nov. 2012,and entitled SELECTIVELY ADJUSTABLE ARCHITECTURAL WALL. The entirecontent of each of the aforementioned patent applications isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

Generally, this invention relates to architectural walls. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to architectural walls thatallow for selective adjustment relative to a ceiling, floor, or both.

2. Background and Relevant Art

Architects and interior designers often use walls to separate spacewithin an indoor environment, such as a home, an office, or anotherbuilding. Some indoor environments have raised floor structures that arelifted above a floor surface. For example, some office buildings mayinclude raised floors that lie above a sub floor. Similarly, some indoorenvironments may have suspended ceilings that are hung or suspended froma ceiling. One advantage of having raised floors and/or suspendedceilings is that they provide space for power cables, communicationcables, and other unsightly hardware between the raised floor and subfloor or between a suspended ceiling and a ceiling. Thus, suspendedceilings and raised floors can hide cables, HVAC, or other buildinginfrastructure from view.

Securing an architectural wall within an indoor environment that has araised floor and a suspended ceiling can be challenging. For example,suspended ceilings and raised floors may not provide sufficientstructural support to be used as anchor points for top and/or bottomends of an architectural wall. Thus, architectural walls may extendbelow a raised floor to be anchored to a floor and/or above a suspendedceiling to be anchored to a ceiling.

While a floor and a ceiling may provide adequate structural support foranchoring a top and/or bottom end of an architectural wall, using afloor and/or a ceiling as anchor points has its own challenges. Channelsthat house opposite ends of an architectural wall may be cut out of orattached to a floor and/or ceiling. Unfortunately, it can be difficultor even impossible to perfectly align such channels or even walls withinthe channels.

Thus, there are a number of problems with architectural walls that canbe addressed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Implementations of the present invention solve one or more of theforegoing or other problems in the art with apparatuses, systems, andmethods for constructing and installing architectural walls that aresecured to a floor and/or a ceiling and that include an adjustmentmechanism. The adjustment mechanism may allow the architectural wall tobe selectively adjusted relative to the floor and/or ceiling such that avertical positioning of the wall may be achieved. The adjustmentmechanism may also allow the architectural wall to fit securely to afloor and/or ceiling, by eliminating or reducing any side-to-sidemovement in the installed wall.

One or more implementations may include an architectural wall systemcomprising a wall and an adjustment mechanism attached between a firstend of the wall and a permanent structure that allows the wall to beadjusted in position relative to the permanent structure.

At least one implementation comprises a method for adjusting theposition of an architectural wall, the method comprising securing afirst end of the architectural wall to a permanent structure via atleast one adjustment mechanism and selectively adjusting a position ofthe first end of the architectural wall via the adjustment mechanismsuch that a positioning of the architectural wall is achieved.

Additional features and advantages of exemplary implementations of theinvention will be set forth in the description which follows, and inpart will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by thepractice of such exemplary implementations. The features and advantagesof such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of theinstruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. These and other features will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims, or may be learned by thepractice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the invention briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. For better understanding, the likeelements have been designated by like reference numbers throughout thevarious accompanying figures. Understanding that these drawings depictonly typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to beconsidered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be describedand explained with additional specificity and detail through the use ofthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an end view of an architectural wall and securingmechanism according to an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an architectural wall according to animplementation of the present invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates an end-sectional view of a first securing mechanismaccording to an implementation of the present invention in a firstposition;

FIG. 3B illustrates an end-sectional view of the first securingmechanism of FIG. 3A in a second position;

FIG. 3C illustrates an end-sectional view of the first securingmechanism of FIG. 3A in a third position;

FIG. 4 illustrates an end-sectional view of a second securing mechanismaccording to an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an end view of another architectural wall andsecuring mechanism according to an implementation of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an end view of yet another architectural wall andsecuring mechanism according to an implementation of the presentinvention

FIG. 7 illustrates an end view of a connection system with which anadjustment mechanism of the present invention may be utilized inaccordance with an implementation of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates another view of the connection system of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

One or more implementations of the present invention relate toconstructing and installing architectural walls that are secured to afloor and/or a ceiling and that include an adjustment mechanism. Theadjustment mechanism may allow the architectural wall to be selectivelyadjusted horizontally relative to the floor and/or ceiling so that avertical positioning of the wall may be achieved. The adjustmentmechanism may also allow the architectural wall to fit securely to afloor and/or ceiling, eliminating or reducing any side-to-side movementin the installed wall.

FIG. 1 illustrates an end view of an architectural wall system 100.Architectural wall system 100 includes a wall 102, an adjustmentmechanism 104, and a support member 106. Wall 102 is secured between twopermanent structures. Specifically, wall 102 is secured between aceiling 108 and a floor 110. The ceiling 108 has a channel 112 extendingtherein. In alternative implementations, the channel 112 can comprise achannel secured to the ceiling rather than a channel extending into theceiling. In any event, the wall 102 may fit partially within the channel112.

The wall 102 may comprise any suitable material. For example, the wall102 may comprise or be composed entirely or in part of gypsum plaster,wood, metal, or another material. The wall 102 may be a modular wall ora permanent wall. In at least one implementation the wall 102 comprisesa modular wall. The modular wall can include a frame and tiles or panelsthat removably attach to the frame such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 8,024,901, titled Integrated Reconfigurable Wall System, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

In one or more implementations, the wall 102 extends above a drop downceiling 114, through an appropriately sized hole 120 in the drop downceiling. For example, the drop down ceiling 114 may include arectangular hole or channel that has approximately the same dimensionsas the wall 102 so that no significant gaps between the drop downceiling 114 and the wall 102 exist. The wall 102 can also extend below araised floor 116, through an appropriately sized hole 122 in the raisedfloor. For example, the raised floor 116 may include a rectangular holeor channel that has approximately the same dimensions as the wall 102 sothat no significant gaps between the raised floor 116 and the wall 102exist.

One will appreciate that the depth of channel 112 can vary. For example,in one implementation, the channel 112 may be less than an inch or sodeep. In other implementations, the depth of the channel 112 can be sixor more inches. The channel 112 may extend into the permanent structure(such as a floor or ceiling). Alternatively, the channel 112 cancomprise a structure attached to the permanent ceiling structure. In anyevent, the channel 112 may extend the entire length of wall 102 or onlya portion or portions thereof. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a sideview of the architectural wall system 100. As can be seen in FIG. 2, thechannel 112 extends the length of the wall 102. Thus, channel 112 housesa portion of the wall 102 along the entire top edge of wall 102. Inalternative implementations, two or more channels may house portions ofthe top edge of a wall.

Channel 112 can also house the adjustment mechanism 104. In alternativeimplementations, an adjustment mechanism may not be positioned withinthe channel 112. The adjustment mechanism 104 may be any mechanism thatallows selective adjustment of the wall 102 relative to the ceiling 108.The adjustment mechanism 104 may also secure, or help secure, the wall102 to the ceiling 108. A number of different adjustment mechanisms mayaccomplish one or more of these, or other purposes.

For example, FIG. 3A illustrates one implementation of an adjustmentmechanism according to the present invention. FIG. 3A illustrates anarchitectural wall system 150, which includes a wall 152 and anadjustment mechanism 154. A portion of wall 152 extends above asuspended ceiling 153 and into a channel 158 in a ceiling 156. Theadjustment mechanism 154 comprises a pair of screws 160 and 162, whichare positioned within channel 158 and on opposite sides of wall 152. Oneend of the screws 160 and 162 include threaded portions 164 and 166.Threaded portions 164 and 166 of screws 160 and 162 mate with holes 165and 167 in the ceiling 156 and on opposite sides of the channel 158. Thescrews 160 and 162 also include support portions 168 and 170. Byrotating the screws 160 and 162 within the holes 165 and 167, one canselectively adjust the placement of the support portions 168 and 170within the channel 158.

The wall 152 can extend into the channel 158 such that the screws 160and 162 are positioned on either side of the wall 152. The ability toselectively adjust the placement of the support portions 168 and 170within the channel 158 allows a person to secure the wall 152 betweenthe screws 160 and 162 by pinching the wall between the screws 160 and162 and/or support portions 168 and 170. In addition, the ability toselectively adjust the placement of the support portions 168 and 170within the channel 158 allows a person to selectively alter the positionof the wall 152 within the channel 158 and relative to the ceiling 156.

For example, FIG. 3B illustrates architectural wall system 150 wherescrews 160 and 162 have been rotated so that they are positioned suchthat wall 152 is secured within channel 158 near the left side of thechannel 158. Likewise, FIG. 3C illustrates architectural wall system 150where screws 160 and 162 have been rotated so that they are positionedsuch that wall 152 is secured within channel 158 near the right side ofthe channel 158. Adjusting the position of wall 152 within channel 158in this manner may allow any pitch or non-vertical angle in wall 152 tobe corrected. In each of FIGS. 3A-3C, wall 152 is frictionally securedin place between screws 160 and 162. One will appreciate, however, thatother mechanism of or for securing wall 152 in place are contemplatedherein; for example, adhesives, impalements, engagements, andgravitational mechanisms may also or alternatively be applicable incertain implementations.

FIG. 4 illustrates another adjustment mechanism according to animplementation of the present invention. Architectural wall system 170includes a wall 172 and an adjustment mechanism 174. A portion of wall172 extends above a suspended ceiling 173 and into a channel 178 in aceiling 176. The adjustment mechanism 174 comprises a threaded member180, which is secured within channel 178. Specifically, threaded member180 is secured to opposing lateral sides of channel 178. Threaded member180 extends through an appropriately sized hole 182 in wall 172.Adjustment mechanism 174 also includes two nuts or securing members 184and 186, which include threaded holes that are sized and shaped tointeract with the threads on threaded member 180. Nuts 184 and 186 maybe selectively moved along threaded member 180 and relative to ceiling176 by rotating nuts 184 and 186 in appropriate respective directions.

Wall 172 may be secured in place by pinching wall 172 between nuts 184and 186. In addition, as with adjustment mechanism 154, the position ofwall 172 may be adjusted with respect to ceiling 176. For example, byrotating the nuts 184 and 186 in a first direction, wall 172 may bemoved to a left side of channel 178. By rotating the nuts 184 and 186 inan opposite direction, wall 172 may be moved to a right side of channel178. Thus, any pitch or non-vertical angle in wall 172 may be corrected.

Referring back to FIG. 1, architectural wall system 100 includes asupport member 106 near the bottom edge of wall 102. Support member 106may be secured to the portion of wall 102 that extends below the raisedfloor 116. Support member 106 may be securable to one or both sides ofwall 102, and/or to the bottom surface of wall 102. Any suitableadhesive or mechanical securing mechanism may be used to secure supportmember 106 to wall 102. A single elongated support member may extend thelength of the bottom edge of a wall. Alternatively, one or more supportmembers may be positioned intermittently along the bottom edge of awall.

A bottom surface of support member 106 can rest on or be attached to thefloor 110 (such as by bolts, adhesives, and/or any other appropriate orsuitable attachment member or fastener). The bottom side of supportmember 106 may include a textured pattern to increase the coefficient offriction and prevent slippage of support member 106 and wall 102relative to floor 110. For example, the bottom side of support member106 may include, spikes, a checkered pattern, and/or a series of linesthat may help to prevent support member 106 from slipping on or alongfloor 110. Support member 106 may be made from any suitable materialincluding rubber, plastic, wood, and/or metal. In some implementations,support member 106 may have one or more layers of another material thatcontacts a floor. For example, a layer of another material may have ahigher coefficient of friction and may help to prevent the supportmember from slipping. Specifically, metal support members may have alayer of rubber that contacts a floor to help to prevent slipping.

In at least one implementation, an adjustment mechanism may include oneor more support members. In particular, because a support member 106 mayallow the wall 102 to be adjusted in position relative to a permanentstructure, support member 106 may be part or a component of theadjustment mechanism.

In alternative implementations of the present invention, a architecturalwall system may have multiple adjustment mechanisms. For example, FIG. 5illustrates another architectural wall system 200 according to thepresent invention. Architectural wall system 200 includes a wall 202, afirst adjustment mechanism 204, and a second adjustment mechanism 206.At its top end, wall 202 extends through an opening or aperture in asuspended ceiling 208 and into a channel 210 in a ceiling 212. Channel210 includes the first adjustment mechanism 204, which secures a top endof wall 202 to ceiling 212. First adjustment mechanism 204 also allowsthe horizontal position of the top portion of wall 202 within channel210 to be adjusted relative to ceiling 212. Thus, a vertical positioningof wall 202 may be achieved via first adjustment mechanism 204.

At its bottom end, wall 202 extends through an opening or aperture in araised floor 214 and into a channel 216 in a floor 218. Channel 216includes the second adjustment mechanism 206, which secures a bottom endof wall 202 to floor 218. Second adjustment mechanism 206 also allowsthe horizontal position of the bottom portion of wall 202 within channel216 to be adjusted relative to floor 218. Thus, adjustment mechanisms204 and 206 may allow a person to adjust the position and/or positioningof wall 202 to ensure that it is positioned substantially vertically.The first and second adjustment mechanisms 204, 206 and their componentsand elements can be similar to or the same as the adjustment mechanisms104, 154, 174 described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

In alternative implementations of the present invention, a wall may bemounted to a floor and/or ceiling without the need for channels to becut out of the floor and/or ceiling. Such a system is illustrated inFIG. 6. Specifically, FIG. 6 illustrates an end view of a securearchitectural wall system 300. Architectural wall system 300 includes awall 302, a first u-shaped track 304, a second u-shaped track 306, andan adjustment mechanism 308. One will appreciate, however, that tracksmay comprise or be formed in or as any suitable shape, and that thepresent disclosure is not limited to u-shaped tracks.

The wall 302 extends above a drop down ceiling 314, through anappropriately sized hole, opening, or aperture 320 in the drop downceiling. For example, the drop down ceiling 314 may include arectangular aperture that has approximately the same dimensions as thewall 302 so that no significant gaps between the drop down ceiling 314and the wall 302 exist. The wall 302 also extends below raised floor316, through an appropriately sized hole, opening, or aperture 322 inthe raised floor. For example, the raised floor 316 may include arectangular aperture that has approximately the same dimensions as thewall 302 so that no significant gaps between the raised floor 316 andthe wall 302 exist. In an alternative implementation, however, anappropriately sized gap or gaps may exist between the wall and theaperture(s) 320, 322.

First and second u-shaped tracks 304 and 306 are secured to a ceiling310 and a floor 312, respectively. U-shaped tracks 304 and 306 mayinclude two panels that extend away from ceiling 310 and 312,respectively, and which may be positioned substantially parallel withwall 302. U-shaped track 304 encloses at least partially the adjustmentmechanism 308. As described herein above, adjustment mechanism 308 maybe any mechanism that secures wall 302 to ceiling 310. For instance,adjustment mechanism 308 and its components and elements can be similarto or the same as the adjustment mechanisms 104, 154, 174, 204, 206described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. Adjustment mechanism 308may also allow selective adjustment to the horizontal and/or verticalposition and/or positioning of the wall 302 (or upper portion thereof)within u-shaped track 304 to ensure that wall 302 is positionedappropriately and/or substantially vertically.

U-shaped track 306 may not include an adjustment mechanism. Rather,u-shaped member 306 may secure wall 302 to floor 312 via the panels thatextend upward away from floor 312 and/or parallel to wall 302. Inalternative implementations, a u-shaped track that secures a wall to afloor may include an adjustment mechanism. U-shaped tracks 304 and 306may extend the entire length of wall 302 or only a portion or portionsthereof.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another implementation of hardware for securinga wall within a channel with an adjustment mechanism. Particularly,FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a connection assembly 400 connecting orcoupling a wall to a structural component of a building (e.g., to aceiling 430). For example, the ceiling 430 can have a channel or a slot432 as described above. In some instances, the ceiling 430 can have arecessed slot 432. Alternatively, the ceiling 430 can have a protrudingslot 432. In still further implementations, the slot 432 can comprise abracket secured to the ceiling 430. In any event, the ceiling 430 canhave the slot 432 that can accept the upper end of a wall 422.

As shown, the connection assembly 400 can include a support assembly 402and a bracket 404 secured to the support assembly 402. Morespecifically, the support assembly 402 can have a first member 406 and asecond member 408. The second member 408 can slidably house the firstmember 406 in a manner that allows the first member 406 to movelaterally relative to the second member 408. Consequently, the buildercan adjust the distance between the respective ends of the first member406 and the second member 408 to correspond with a particular width ofthe slot 432.

Furthermore, the support assembly 402 can have support tabs 410 a, 410b, which can secure the support assembly 402 to the ceiling 430. Forexample, first member 406 can have the support tab 410 a and the secondmember 408 can have the support tab 410 b. Hence, the builder can setthe support tabs 410 a, 410 b on an upper surface 434 of the ceiling430, while at least a portion of the first member 406 and/or of thesecond member 408 protrudes into the slot 432.

Additionally, the support assembly 402 can include one or more fasteners412, which can secure the first member 406 to the second member 408. Inother words, after sliding the second member 408 and the first member406 to a desired width (e.g., corresponding with the slot 432), thebuilder can fasten the second member 408 and the first member 406together with the fastener(s) 412. For instance, the fastener 412 cancomprise a bolt and a nut. It should be noted, however, that thefastener 412 can vary from one implementation to the other. Furthermore,in light of this disclosure, those skilled in the art should appreciatethat the support assembly 402 can have various configurations, which canallow the builder to secure the support assembly 402 to the ceiling 430and/or within the slot 432.

In at least one implementation, the second member 408 and/or the firstmember 406 can have a slot that accepts the fastener 412. Accordingly,the fastener 412 can be partially engaged (e.g., the bolt may have ahand-tight nut thereon), and the fastener 412 can move along the slot,relative to the first member 406 and/or second member 408. Similarly,the first member 406 and the second member 408 can move relative to eachother when the fastener 412 is partially engaged.

The fastener 412 also can secure the bracket 404 to the support assembly402. Likewise, the bracket 404 together with the fastener 412 can slidealong the slot in the first member 406 and/or the second member 408 and,thus, along the support assembly 402. As noted above, a portion of thewall can rigidly connect to the building's structural component. Forinstance, a bottom end of the wall can connect to the floor of thebuilding.

In some instances, the building can have a raised floor, and the wallcan couple to a concrete floor below the raised floor of the building,as described above. Consequently, the raised floor may have slots orchannels therein to accommodate at least a portion of the wall passingtherethrough and connecting to the concrete floor below. The slots orchannels in the raised floor may be misaligned with the slot 432 and theceiling 430. Therefore, an adjustment mechanism such as those describedabove can allow the bracket 404 to move along the support assembly 402,and thereby move within the slot 432, allowing the builder to properlyalign and vertically position and secure the wall or a portion thereofwithin the slot 432. In other words, an adjustment mechanism can providemovement of the fastener 412 and/or of the bracket 404 relative to thesupport assembly 402, and the resulting movement of the bracket 404relative to the slot 432, can accommodate installation of the wall wherethe slot 432 is misaligned with the slots or channels in the suspendedfloor.

In one or more implementations, the adjustment mechanism (not shown inFIGS. 7 and 8) can be positioned between each side of the bracket 404and the wall 430. In any event, the adjustment mechanism can allow aninstaller to selectively move or position the bracket 404 within thechannel or slot 432 to ensure proper or desired alignment of a wall tobe positioned with the bracket 404. In still further implementations,the adjustment mechanism can be integrated into the support assembly402. For instance, the adjustment mechanism and its components andelements can be similar to or the same as the adjustment mechanisms 104,154, 174, 204, 206, 308 described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 1-6.

In at least one implementation, the connection assembly 400 can includeone or more panels 420 coupled to a frame 416 b, 416 b. In certainimplementations, the frame 416 a, 416 b may be coupled to the bracketand/or a portion, feature, or channel thereof. As described above, thebracket 404 can couple the wall to the ceiling 430. For example, thebracket 404 can include a U-shaped channel 414, which can accept andsecure a portion of the wall. Particularly, the U-shaped channel 414 cansecure a top end 422 of the wall.

For instance, the top end 422 can have substantially the same width asthe U-shaped channel 414. Thus, the U-shaped channel 414 canfrictionally secure the top end 422, thereby restricting or preventingmovement of the top end 422 (and of the wall) relative to the bracket404 and to the ceiling 430. Particularly, the U-shaped channel 414 andthe top end 422 can have a press fit (or an interference fit)connection, which can provide sufficient force to restrain the wall frommoving relative to the ceiling 430 (e.g., absent a seismic event).

Moreover, the top end 422 can have an at least partially spherical or arounded shape. In one implementation, the top end 422 can have roundedfaces 424 a, 424 b. As such, the top end 422 can rotate and/or pivotwithin the U-shaped channel 414. One will appreciate, however, thebracket 404 can include a channel 414 that has other than a U-shapewithout departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, othermethods of securing or coupling the wall to the ceiling or otherstructural element, including clips, hooks, clamps, or other fasteners,are contemplated herein.

In the event that the slot 432 and slots or channels in the suspendedfloor are misaligned, the builder can move the frame 416 a, 416 b,together with (or independent of) the bracket 404, within the slot 432to compensate for such misalignment. After the builder places the frame416 a, 416 b, the bracket 404, and/or the channel 414 into proper and/ordesired alignment, the builder can engage or tighten the fastener 412,to complete the installation of the top end 422 within the slot 432.

The adjustment mechanism(s) described above and shown in the figureseach include an adjustment mechanism including a screw and nutconfiguration for providing adjustment. One will appreciate in light ofthe disclosure herein that the present invention is not so limited. Forexample, in one or more alternative implementations the adjustmentmechanism can comprise a spring-loaded bar with set adjustmentpositions. In still further implementations, the adjustment mechanismcan comprise an automated adjustment mechanism that an installer canremotely control, such as a screw and nut configuration with a motor forautomatically turning the nut or bolt. In any event, the adjustmentmechanism can allow an installer to adjust the position of a wall, orhardware that supports a wall, within a channel to allow for a desiredalignment of the wall.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. An architectural wall system comprising: a wall; and an adjustmentmechanism attached between a first end of the wall and a permanentstructure that allows the wall to be adjusted in position relative tothe permanent structure; wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises atleast one rotatable member configured to adjust the position of thefirst end of the wall.
 2. The architectural wall system as recited inclaim 1, wherein at least a portion of the adjustment mechanism ispositioned within a channel associated with the permanent structure. 3.The architectural wall system as recited in claim 3, wherein theadjustment mechanism is secured to first and second opposing side wallsof the channel.
 4. The architectural wall system as recited in claim 2,wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a bracket extending from thepermanent structure, the bracket comprising a channel.
 5. Thearchitectural wall system as recited in claim 1, wherein the adjustmentmechanism secures the first end of the wall to the permanent structureand allows for selective adjustment of the wall relative to thepermanent structure by allowing a second end of the wall to beselectively adjusted horizontally such that the wall may be positionedin a substantially vertical orientation.
 6. The architectural wallsystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism furtherallows the first end of the wall to be selectively adjusted horizontallysuch that the wall may be positioned in a substantially verticalorientation.
 7. The architectural wall system as recited in claim 1,further comprising a plurality of adjustment mechanisms attached betweenthe first end of the wall and the permanent structure.
 8. Thearchitectural wall system as recited in claim 7, wherein a firstadjustment mechanism is attached to a first side of the first end of thewall and a second adjustment mechanism is attached to a second side ofthe first end of the wall.
 9. The architectural wall system as recitedin claim 1, further comprising a plurality of adjustment mechanisms,wherein: the wall is secured between first and second permanentstructures; a first adjustment mechanisms is attached between the firstend of the wall and the first permanent structure; and a secondadjustment mechanisms is attached between a second end of the wall andthe second permanent structure.
 10. The architectural wall system asrecited in claim 1, further comprising at least one support memberconfigured to secure at least a portion of the wall to the permanentstructure.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The architectural wall system as recitedin claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises: a firstrotatable member positioned on a first side of the first end of thewall, the first rotatable member being configured to adjust the positionof the first end of the wall in a first direction, wherein rotating thefirst rotatable member in a first rotational direction adjusts the firstend of the wall in the first direction; and a second rotatable memberpositioned on a second side of the first end of the wall, the secondrotatable member being configured to adjust the position of the firstend of the wall in a second direction, wherein rotating the secondrotatable member in a second rotational direction adjusts the first endof the wall in the second direction, wherein the first and secondrotatable members cooperate to secure the wall therebetween.
 13. Thearchitectural wall system as recited in claim 12, wherein: rotating thefirst rotatable member in the second rotational direction permits thefirst end of the wall to be adjusted in the second direction viarotating the second rotatable member in the second rotational direction;and rotating the second rotatable member in the first rotationaldirection permits the first end of the wall to be adjusted in the firstdirection via rotating the first rotatable member in the firstrotational direction.
 14. The architectural wall system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the at least one rotatable member is configured to besecured at least partially within at least one opening in the permanentstructure.
 15. The architectural wall system as recited in claim 1,wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises at least one threaded memberfor securing the first end of the wall to the permanent structure. 16.The architectural wall system as recited in claim 15, wherein the firstend of the wall includes at least one opening configured to receive aportion of the threaded member.
 17. The architectural wall system asrecited in claim 16, wherein the at least one rotatable member rotatesabout the threaded member to adjust the position of the first end of thewall.
 18. The architectural wall system as recited in claim 15 furthercomprising: a first rotatable member positioned on a first side of thefirst end of the wall, the first rotatable member being configured torotate about the threaded member to adjust the position of the first endof the wall in a first direction, wherein rotating the first rotatablemember in a first rotational direction adjusts the first end of the wallin the first direction; and a second rotatable member positioned on asecond side of the first end of the wall, the second rotatable memberbeing configured to rotate about the threaded member to adjust theposition of the first end of the wall in a second direction, whereinrotating the second rotatable member in a second rotational directionadjusts the first end of the wall in the second direction, whereinrotating the first rotatable member in the second rotational directionpermits the first end of the wall to be adjusted in the second directionvia rotating the second rotatable member in the second rotationaldirection, and wherein rotating the second rotatable member in the firstrotational direction permits the first end of the wall to be adjusted inthe first direction via rotating the first rotatable member in the firstrotational direction.
 19. The architectural wall system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises at least one slidingmember attached between the first end of the wall and the permanentstructure that allows the wall to be adjusted in position relative tothe permanent structure.
 20. The architectural wall system as recited inclaim 19, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a first slidingmember and a second sliding member, wherein the second sliding member isconfigured to slidably engage at least a portion of the first slidingmember such that the first sliding member can move relative to thesecond sliding member.
 21. The architectural wall system as recited inclaim 20, wherein the second sliding member slidably houses at least aportion of the first sliding member.
 22. The architectural wall systemas recited in claim 21, wherein: the first sliding member is securableto a first side wall of a channel associated with the permanentstructure; and the second sliding member is securable to a second sidewall of the channel.
 23. The architectural wall system as recited inclaim 22, further comprising at least one fastener configured to securethe first sliding member in a first position relative to the secondsliding member.
 24. The architectural wall system as recited in claim23, wherein the first position corresponds to a size of the channel. 25.The architectural wall system as recited in claim 19, further comprisingan attachment member secured to the sliding member, wherein theattachment member secures the wall to the sliding member.
 26. Thearchitectural wall system as recited in claim 25, wherein the attachmentmember frictionally engages a portion of the first end of the wall. 27.The architectural wall system as recited in claim 25, wherein the firstend of the wall comprises a rounded configuration such that the wall canpivot while coupled to the attachment member.
 28. The architectural wallsystem as recited in claim 25, further comprising at least one frameelement configured to support a panel adjacent to the wall.
 29. Thearchitectural wall system as recited in claim 1, further comprising atleast one support member configured to secure the wall to the permanentstructure.
 30. A method for adjusting the position of an architecturalwall, comprising: securing a first end of the architectural wall to apermanent structure via at least one adjustment mechanism; andselectively adjusting a position of the first end of the architecturalwall via the adjustment mechanism such that a positioning of thearchitectural wall is achieved; wherein adjusting the position of thefirst end of the architectural wall along the elongated member of theadjustment mechanism comprises: rotating a first rotatable memberpositioned on a first side of the first end of the architectural wall tothereby adjust the first end of the architectural wall in a firstdirection, and rotating a second rotatable member positioned on a secondside of the first end of the architectural wall to thereby adjust thefirst end of the architectural wall in a second direction.
 31. Themethod as recited in claim 30, wherein selectively adjusting theposition of the first end of the architectural wall via the adjustmentmechanism causes a horizontal position of the first end of the wall tobe adjusted such that the wall may be oriented substantially vertically.32. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein securing the first end ofthe architectural wall to the permanent structure comprises positioninga portion of the architectural wall within a channel associated with thepermanent structure, the channel being selected from the groupconsisting of: (1) a recessed slot or opening in the permanentstructure; and (2) a protruding slot or bracket extending from thepermanent structure.
 33. The method as recited in claim 30, whereinselectively adjusting a position of the first end of the architecturalwall comprises adjusting a position of the first end of thearchitectural wall along an elongated member of the adjustmentmechanism.
 34. (canceled)
 35. The method as recited in claim 30, furthercomprising securing a second end of the wall to a second permanentstructure via a second adjustment mechanism, wherein the firstadjustment mechanisms is attached between the first end of the wall andthe first permanent structure and the second adjustment mechanisms isattached between a second end of the wall and the second permanentstructure.